It opened to a servant bearing a salver with a card.

Paul lifted it with a slight tremor, not at the engraved name of "Maria Concepcion de Arguellos de la Yerba Buena," but at the remembered school-girl hand that had penciled underneath the words, "wishes the favor of an audience with his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant-Governor of the Californias." Paul looked inquiringly at the servant.

"The gnadige Fraulein was in her own salon.

Would EXCELLENCY walk that way?
It was but a step; in effect, the next apartment." Paul followed him into the hall with wondering steps.

The door of the next room was open, and disclosed a handsomely furnished salon.